Flying England support to be hit by Tel Aviv airport strike

A general strike will close Tel Aviv's main airport to most international flights from tomorrow and could lead to long delays for England fans travelling over for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Israel. The England team's flight will not be affected, however, as the general workers' union has promised to allow it to land.

The strike could last for days and with as many as 5000 England fans expected, many due on Thursday and Friday, chaos is a distinct prospect. "I've asked to meet [the head of the union] Offer Einy urgently," said Avi Luzon, chairman of the Israeli FA. "I'm asking him not to jeopardise the football festivity planned for this weekend so we won't look like a Third World country. I hope he will come to his senses soon and see the good of the Israeli economy in front of him. With all due respect, 5,000 English fans can give the local economy a major boost - we should avoid harming the state and sport."

A union spokesman retorted: "We will not have such meeting with the Israeli FA. We will let the English team land but our concern is to our workers who haven't received their salaries. We are trying to limit the impact upon the public but the strike will go on. "

A similar strike in September 2004 led to the postponement of a Uefa Cup game between Maccabi Petakh Tikve and Heerenveen and Avi Luzon, then chairman of the Israeli club, promised to take his revenge on the union and its leaders, but his first major task as the new head of the Israeli FA is to avoid another public-relations disaster.

David Nugent, the Preston North End striker, received the news he had been waiting for last night when Steve McClaren called him up to the England squad for the Israel and Andorra games. Nugent, who had been named in the England Under-21s squad, replaces the injured Darren Bent at a time when McClaren is missing Peter Crouch and Michael Owen.

McClaren has also called up Gareth Barry for the injured Gary Neville in what will be a reconfigured defence but he is considered a back-up left-back, with McClaren favouring either Jamie Carragher or Phil Neville, both right-footed players.

Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender, will require treatment for a calf problem but the indications are that he will be available to fill in at right-back.